Minsk Public Transport: Real Costs, Subsidies, and Future Fare Changes

The authorities of Minsk have revealed the actual cost of public transportation fares. As stated by the chairman of the Minsk City Council, Artyom Tsuran, during a meeting with citizens, passengers pay less than a third of the actual transportation costs. The majority of expenses are covered by the state, raising doubts about the introduction of additional benefits for pensioners and other categories of citizens.

Why does a ticket cost 85 kopecks instead of 3 rubles?

Currently, the fare for a bus, trolleybus, or tram ride is 85 kopecks, while the metro fare is 90 kopecks. However, according to Tsuran, the actual cost of a single trip is close to 3 rubles. "If transport were self-sustaining like taxis, a ticket would cost exactly that much. Then, we could discuss benefits," the official explained. The city budget allocates tens of millions of rubles annually to cover losses and update transport. For example, the cost of a metro ride is estimated at 2.12 rubles, while budget subsidies reach 134 million rubles per year.

Pensioners request benefits, but authorities are hesitant

During a meeting with Tsuran, a resident of the Zavodskoy district, a pensioner, proposed introducing discounted fares for the elderly. The man spends four tickets on trips to medical institutions, which significantly affects his budget. The official recommended applying for targeted assistance but emphasized that the current fare is already subsidized, and additional benefits are possible only if transport becomes fully self-sustaining.

Route closures and budget savings

Low profitability has led to the closure of several routes. Starting February 3, bus No. 10 ("Druzhna" — "Old Airport") will cease operations, and temporary routes No. 912e and 962e, associated with the "My Belarus" exhibition, have already been suspended. Authorities attribute this to insufficient passenger traffic.

Historical context: How fares have changed

Over the past 34 years, the fare for the Minsk metro has increased nearly 2 billion times due to denomination and inflation. The peak of cost recovery was in 1996 when the metro was profitable. Currently, passengers pay only 28-43% of the actual trip cost, depending on the type of transport.

Prospects: Should we expect fare increases?

The last fare increase was in April 2022, and the current tariff no longer corresponds to the dollar exchange rate (3.41 rubles per $1). Analysts do not rule out a new increase, but the decision requires approval from the Ministry of Economy and other agencies.

Conclusion

While Minsk's public transport remains a socially oriented service, benefits for specific groups are unlikely. Authorities plan to optimize routes and subsidies, but the issue of affordable fares for pensioners and low-income citizens remains open.